Hornblower launches into whale watching season on December 12, 2009

SAN DIEGO (November 6, 2009) – Hornblower Cruises & Events is ready and waiting for the annual gray whale migration between frigid Arctic waters and the warm lagoons of Baja California. Set to whisk nearly 2,500 whale watchers away on the city’s ultimate eco-adventure, Hornblower begins its acclaimed Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventures on Saturday, December 12, 2009. Each 3 1/2-hour excursion gets guests out to prime viewing areas off San Diego’s coast and is narrated by seasoned captains and knowledgeable on-board naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventures depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., primarily on Adventure Hornblower, a large, stable vessel that features on-board displays and video clips highlighting Hornblower’s eco-outreach. This year, Hornblower gave its famous cruise a new green focus – guests now learn about local environmental efforts as part of the company’s Respect Our Planet program, a series of initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact and educate the public. In addition to the new displays and video clips, tour updates include a revamped narration that spotlights environmentally friendly projects in and around the bay and incorporates more sustainable products. Hornblower also is participating in an EPA-funded study of copper-free paints that aims to minimize boating impact in San Diego Bay.

San Diego has long been known as a top spot for watching the annual migration, and guests often see several species of dolphins as well as California sea lions, a variety of marine mammals and countless seabirds while sailing past local landmarks.With years of experience, the company’s captains know the best sites for spotting whales. In fact, Hornblower hands out a pass good for another whale watching tour or harbor cruise if a whale is not sighted. Sighting updates are posted regularly on Hornblower’s online captain’s log, http://sandiegowhalewatching.com, and Twitter users can sign up for instant updates by following Hornblower at www.twitter.com/HornblowerSD.

Special deal for the 2009-2010 whale-watching season

Wild for whales? Take advantage of Hornblower’s Whale Club Card. For just $50 per person, the Whale Club membership includes free Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventures for the entire season and free Harbor Cruises & Sea Lion Adventures in the off-season. Cardholders also enjoy exclusive discounts on other Hornblower cruises throughout the year. The Hornblower Whale Club Card pays for itself after just two cruises!

Ticket and reservation details

Whale watching tickets are $16 (weekday) or $19 (Saturday-Sunday) for children ages 4-12; and $32 (weekday) or $37 (Saturday-Sunday) for adults. Children ages 3 and under are free, and groups of 20 or more can arrange outings at a discount. Tickets and gift certificates are available by calling 619-686-8715, going online to www.hornblower.com or visiting the Hornblower ticket booth at 1066 North Harbor Drive, San Diego. Advanced purchase is recommended to secure specific dates and times. Snacks are available for purchase and all whale watching yachts offers comfortable indoor and outdoor seating for guests.

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About Hornblower Cruises & Events

Hornblower Cruises & Events has been California’s leading charter yacht and public dining cruise company for nearly 30 years. With 35 distinct vessels, ranging from cozy, custom-designed catamarans to the 3 largest dining yachts on the West Coast, Hornblower welcomes guests for classic sightseeing and dining cruises, corporate outings, weddings, special events, environmental tours and film shoots. In California, the company sails from San Francisco, Berkeley, Sacramento, Long Beach, Newport Beach, Marina del Rey and San Diego. Alcatraz Cruises and Statue Cruises, which are Hornblower subsidiaries and National Park Service concessioners, provide water transportation services to Alcatraz Island, the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island. Learn more at www.hornblower.com or 1-866-HORNBLOWER.